JAMES ABBOTT MCNEILL WHISTLER (1834-1903) "FEMALE

JAMES ABBOTT MCNEILL WHISTLER (1834-1903) "FEMALE NUDE" OIL ON BOARD, 1892. GILT FRAMED AND MATTED, SIGNED AND DATED UPPER-RIGHT. Samuel Maslon was a prominent citizen of Minnesota in the early 20th century. He was an avid collector of the arts and a patron of the Minneapolis Art Institute. He consigned many art works for exhibition as evidenced by the Exhibition Sticker on the back of this painting. He also had a strong presence in Palm Springs, California and established a law firm there in the early 20th century. Samuel Maslon also served as a trustee at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and his wife, Luella served as a trustee at the Palm Springs desert Museum. This painting was purchased by a gentleman in Los Angeles from an estate in Palm Springs in 1989. That estate is believed to have belonged to a Maslon family member. Thereafter, the painting hung in the house of that gentleman until his death in 2006. His heirs, now living in Houston, have graciously consigned the painting to our auction house. The frame was replaced in 2006. It is a custom gilt, hand carved copy of an original Whistler designed frame. The signature is original and a good example of the artist handwriting. Both Microscopic examination, and long and short wave Ultra violet inspection, show that it was signed at the time of painting, not afterwards. The size of the board and the subject matter are consistent with other nude painting by Whistler from this time period. The painting is in original condition with no damage or in-painting. It is a well cared for and prized artwork that has been passed down through the generations. We believe this to be an original Whistler painting.